(Disclaimer: Rae asked me to weigh in on this, so this isn't just random petty sniping. Also, he currently has three of my PCs at his mercy, so don't feel like he can't get back at me if he takes offense.)
Nothing in here tweaks my implausibility sense. I'm particularly fond of Freikorps Richter and the Papal State, as both are potential adversaries with "higher" purposes beyond simple self-interested power grabs. Also,
mad props for the New Hussites, though you really need to give them some mention of Jan Zizka's legacy in their operations and tactics.
Question: Would international relations at the time support the Austrian government-in-exile setting up in Germany rather than Switzerland? Given that Austria and Switzerland ostensibly shared the principle of neutrality, the latter seems feasible as well. Or are you operating on the assumption that the Austrian survivors would've thrown in with NATO because the Soviets invaded first?
Now… I realize I'm something of a heretic around here, as I tend to detest detailed ORBATs and TO&Es (and I think you've provided as much detail as you need to for the ones you've created). But for me, what's missing to make this a complete sourcebook is detail
outside the pure military situation. You have good ideas here but they lack a unified thematic framework to make your Austria a unique feature on the landscape of post-WWIII Europe. Right now, it's a blowed-up area with a bunch of foreign dudes with guns in it. You have the potential for ongoing conflict with a NATO-occupied west, a Pact-occupied east, and a central unclaimed territory. Now expand on that and start filling in the blank areas on the map.
Here are the things I want to know more about
:
The map. Tell us something on geography and how Austria's terrain features will affect PCs traveling through it or trying to set up housekeeping in it.
The people. What's the take of the average Austrian citizen on the major combatants and the events of the war? Are foreign characters likely to find assistance, grudging acquiescence, or a knife in the back based on the national affiliations they display? Also, you mention the use of militia and partisan groups in the history, but such Austrian forces are notably absent from the factions you've described so far.
Recent history. If I'm a GM who wants to run in this setting, or a player who wants to play here, I could use a bit more detail on the summer 2000 battles and their outcomes. What happened to the PCs who are now on their own - or still reporting to higher - in central Austria?
The government-in-exile. Are they still operating? Communicating with Austrian partisan groups and/or the remnants of the regular military? Running their own espionage network? Tied into DIA or BND operations in Austria?
The map, redux. Give us some unique landmarks and cultural elements that will make it obvious that blown-up Austria is its own thing, not an extension of blown-up Poland with different accents on the actors.
- C.